Creativity 50 2014: Elizabeth Holmes

Founder, Theranos

Elizabeth Holmes' fear of needles was the catalyst behind a multibillion-dollar company transforming our health-care system.

Ms. Holmes dropped out of Stanford 10 years ago to start blood-diagnostics company Theranos, using money her parents had saved for her education. Now, the 30-year-old CEO is one of America's youngest self-made billionaires. With a drop of blood taken from a single pinprick, Theranos can perform a multitude of tests that help give patients an in-depth view of their overall health. Compared with the traditional approach of collecting blood in vials, Theranos' technique is cheaper, faster and less painful.

Last fall, the company rolled out its diagnostic testing services at select Walgreens drugstores, but this is just the beginning for Ms. Holmes. Through making health-care information more accessible, her mission is to empower individuals so they can lead the lives they want to live.